1. What is the Matthew effect? : The origin of the term ; The parable of the Monopoly game ; Absolute versus relative Matthew effects ; The Matthew effect in Mertonian theory
2. Matthew effects in science and technology : Matthew effects in science ; Matthew effects in technology
3. Matthew effects in the economy : Economic Matthew mechanisms
Circular causation and the Matthew effect: Myrdal meets Merton
4. Matthew effects in politics and public policy : Matthew effects in politics ; Matthew effects in public policy: the case of tax law
- 5. Matthew effects in education and culture : Matthew effects in education ; The accumulation of cultural capital
10. Implications and conclusions : The Matthew effect: natural law or social construct?
Social benefits and costs of Matthew effects ; Egalitarian and inegalitarian traditions
Countervailing forces ; The goose and the golden egg
Appendix: Trends in economic inequality : Is there growing economic inequality in the United States? ; Is there growing economic inequality around the world?